Three Keys to Personal Change
In my experience as a coach, I have come to the realization that most people are aware of what they need to work on to be transformed into who they want to become. What they lack is the energy and motivation to get started and follow through with their plans for moving forward – to get unstuck.
In his book Leadership Coaching Tony Stoltzfus shares that, “change is more a function of motivation than information”. Transformation is not about gaining more knowledge; it is about applying the knowledge we already have to develop a plan and actually take specific steps that move us toward the accomplishment of our desired goals.
I was having a conversation with a potential client who had been 30 pounds overweight for about ten years and wanted to lose those extra pounds. He said, “I’m not sure I need to pay for coaching because I already know what I need to do.” I then asked him, “How long have you known what to do?” He didn’t need more information; he needed to get motivated.
The more someone can connect his desired goal with his personal values, the more powerful the motivation to reach a goal will be. This connection can be very valuable in maintaining the motivation to keep moving toward the goal, especially when the steps that need to be taken become difficult.
Another motivator is identifying the positive impact reaching one’s goal will have. This can minimize the unpleasantness of difficult tasks. There is no better example of this truth than the one found in Jesus’ sacrifice. Hebrews 12:2 says, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Visualizing the achievement of the goal feels wonderful because ideas and dreams are energizing. Getting specific about what it will take to get there is where a person can get bogged down. One tool that is very helpful is the development of SMART goals. The plan becomes more workable when the goals are specific, measurable, achievable, rewarding and time bound. A SMART goal is more likely to be achieved than a vague desire. A goal achieved is an encouragement to do it again.
A sense of accomplishment motivates a person to continue to move forward. Change requires energy. Discovering and attending to one’s values provides that energy. Using that energy to then set and achieve goals increases confidence. It is a positive cycle of continued motivation that produces an expectation of success and moves persons from knowing what they need to do to actually doing it.
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What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. Zig Ziglar